drew2

First visit to Cowley for me and the family for this one. Plenty of ex Rebels (Somerset variety that is not Oxford or White City ones!) on track to see plus Emil, looking forward to a good meeting.

Got feeling that 'trip over the fence' was courtesy of James Grieves' back wheel which was why the Somerset fans never liked him much after that when he visited the OTA. I remember that Readie debut as well!

Only in speedway could the same rider Captain the Premiership winning team as well as the Championship wooden spoon winners in the same season!

Can't see Ben being back this season now.

I certainly thought Morris was the cause of the carnage in heat 10 and I couldn't understand Shanes getting excluded. With the heat 3 final bend (unless I missed the track staff helping Zane) I have no idea why firstly the red lights came on so quick and then why he was denied a point when he crossed the line on his bike? I was stood at the entry of the third bend and saw it that Shanes was more the cause of the incident than Zane. No one has mentioned Paco either, harshly excluded for the first bend incident in heat 8 but then certainly got away with a nice bit of 'grass tracking' out of bend two on lap three when chasing Alfie in heat 9. The amount of dust that flew up must have given the ref a clue of where he rode. I have a picture of a lengthy wheel mark which showed he had both wheels across the white line! Then to add salt to the wound he pinched the single point from Alfie on the next lap! Overall a good meeting and Bomber was good value as he always is. No idea why Paco didn't replace Morris in heat 14 as this probably cost Brummies a better chance. Gazza 'reserve change in blue' May doesn't change either and I'm sure he had an influence on the comeback despite not using a tactical option when available. was also impressed with Dillon Ruml last night and sounds like he did again this evening at Perry Barr. My second and probably final visit to Plymouth this year, its not quite what I was used to watching at Somerset but I will be back with family in tow next season. Well done to the Gladiators promotion on what they have achieved this year.

Nothing yet. Been sneezing all day too after my ventures into the loft yesterday!

Hi, I have the 5 Somerset home meetings that I can scan and email if you send me PM with an address.

And then again the home match vs Sheffield from last year on Tuesday night. Seem to recall it had some awesome racing in it, especially the last three races. I also think that match marked my debut as an Updater last season.

Starting to sound a bit like a firm of Solicitors with the newcomers though! Barker, Becker, Bates and Cook

To start with what about Luke at 2 at the OTA with Rory in heat 1? Anders at 3 with Bates at 4. Agree with Ben at 5. Might move that around away from home though.

Rohan was my first thought too. Pontus Aspgren may also be an option but think the flights situation may prevent that.

Don't think JC ever had a Farewell meeting anywhere, just a long lap of honour in Torun!

Still closer than any of the Rebels 'local' derbies were in 2019! The Fours qualifying rounds have never existed in Somerset's time in the middle tier. I wouldn't might seeing it tried though. I went to a few at the County Ground and always enjoyed them (well apart from the one where Simmo disappeared over the 1st/2nd bend fence and almost left the stadium in the air!).

So we have, Najjer saying £16 isn't good value at Somerset whilst the same product and price at Eastbourne is stated as being competitive. I have watched the Rebels every year since they started and have enjoying every one of them whatever level we raced at. The racing in 2019 was no less entertaining than in the Premiership years of 2018 or 17 or any year before that in fact, in my opinion. I am looking forward to those tapes going up at the OTA in 2020 as well. But that is it in a nutshell, everyone has and is entitled to an opinion on how they see things.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Zach gets on. I didn't see the NL level meeting he rode at the OTA last season (which he did well in I'm told despite only just getting off the plane from Oz!) but he looked stylish when he had few after meeting spins at the OTA in 2019. Yes I know that is different to racing but as has already been mentioned he fared well in Oz earlier today and I seem to recall a top 4 in a State Championship used to qualify them for a visa?? This 'young Aussie' has been a tried and tested method for the Rebels in last ten or so years. Gazza and Debbie haven't done too badly so far with their selections over the years of bringing in new Aussies, Sam Masters, Justin Sedgmen, Brady Kurtz & Jake Allen all spring to mind! No reason why Zach shouldn't follow that positive trend at Somerset. Reckon I could guess who might be the trusted spanner man for young Zach as well. He has worked for a few of the aforementioned Aussie riders before with plenty of success!